Top 10 Food Server Certifications

Certifications for food servers are important in the job market for a few reasons. Firstly, they demonstrate to employers that the candidate is knowledgeable and experienced in the food service industry. They also show that the individual has taken the initiative to further their education and skillset through certification courses. This can be especially beneficial for those who may not have much experience in the industry but still want to prove their knowledge. Furthermore, certifications provide assurance to employers that their employees are properly trained and up-to-date with current regulations and safety standards. Finally, certifications are often required by local laws or regulations in order to work in certain establishments, such as restaurants or catering companies.

The purpose of this article is to review the top certifications for Food Servers and explain how they can help to enhance a food server's career.

What are Food Server Certifications?

Food server certification is a program that provides food service workers with the necessary training and education to ensure that they are properly handling and serving food in a safe and sanitary manner. The program typically covers topics such as food safety, proper sanitation procedures, temperature control, personal hygiene, food storage, cross-contamination prevention, and more. By receiving food server certification, employees will be better equipped to handle any potential issues that may arise in their workplace.

Having certified staff on hand can help protect customers from foodborne illnesses by ensuring that all food items are stored and handled properly. Additionally, it can help to reduce the risk of cross-contamination between raw and cooked foods. Furthermore, having certified staff on board can also provide peace of mind for management and customers alike. It communicates to customers that their health is taken seriously by the establishment and that they can trust the quality of the food being served there.

Pro Tip: Make sure to check the requirements for food server certification in your area before beginning the process. Different localities have different regulations, so it is important to be aware of any specific requirements you must meet in order to receive certification.

Related: What does a Food Server do?

Top 10 Food Server Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Food Servers today.

1. ServSafe Food Handler Certification

ServSafe Food Handler Certification is a program that provides food handlers with the knowledge and skills necessary to safely handle and prepare food. It is offered by the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF) and administered by Prometric, an independent testing company.

The certification program consists of a two-hour online course that covers topics such as personal hygiene, cross-contamination, time/temperature control, cleaning and sanitation, safe food preparation, and more. Upon successful completion of the course, participants will receive their ServSafe Food Handler Certificate.

The course typically takes about two hours to complete and can be done at your own pace. You will need access to a computer or other device with an internet connection in order to take the course. The cost of the course is $15 USD per person.

Once you have completed the course and passed the exam, you will receive your ServSafe Food Handler Certificate via email within two business days. The certification is valid for five years from the date of issue.

2. National Restaurant Association Food Safety Certification

The National Restaurant Association (NRA) Food Safety Certification is a program designed to help restaurant owners, managers, and employees protect their customers from foodborne illnesses. The program provides comprehensive training on food safety topics such as safe food handling, proper storage, and contamination prevention. It also covers the latest government regulations and industry standards related to food safety.

The certification process typically takes about 8-10 hours to complete and consists of an online course followed by a proctored exam. The course material covers topics like food safety principles, temperature control, personal hygiene, cleaning and sanitizing, pest control, HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points), and more. Upon successful completion of the exam, individuals receive a certificate that is valid for five years.

In order to get certified through the NRA Food Safety Certification Program, individuals must register online at the NRA website or contact their local state health department for more information. The cost of the program varies depending on the state in which you are located; however, most states charge between $50-$100 per person for the certification fee.

3. Certified Professional Food Manager (CPFM)

A Certified Professional Food Manager (CPFM) is a credential that demonstrates an individual's knowledge and understanding of food safety principles. It is issued by the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF).

To become a CPFM, applicants must complete an approved food safety training program, pass an exam, and receive a passing score on the certification exam. The certification is valid for five years and must be renewed every five years to maintain its validity.

The length of time it takes to become a CPFM varies depending on the type of course chosen. Most courses can be completed in one day or less, while some may take up to two days or more.

To get certified as a CPFM, individuals must first find an approved food safety training provider and register for the course they wish to take. After completing the course, applicants will need to pass an exam administered by the NRAEF in order to receive their certification.

The cost of becoming a CPFM varies depending on which training provider you choose and what type of course you select. Generally speaking, most courses range from $50-$150 USD.

4. Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM)

Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) is a professional certification that demonstrates an individual’s knowledge and understanding of food safety principles and practices. This certification is required in many states for anyone who works in a restaurant or other food service establishment. It is designed to help protect the public from foodborne illness by ensuring that employees are properly trained in food safety.

To become a Certified Food Protection Manager, individuals must complete an accredited training program and pass an exam administered by the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF). The training program typically takes between 8-12 hours to complete, depending on the provider. Once completed, individuals can take the CFPM exam at any of the NRAEF-approved testing centers around the country.

The cost of becoming a Certified Food Protection Manager will vary depending on the provider and test center you choose. Generally speaking, you can expect to pay anywhere from $100-$200 for the training program, plus additional fees for taking the exam.

5. American Culinary Federation ServSafe Certification

The American Culinary Federation ServSafe Certification is a food safety certification program that provides foodservice professionals with the knowledge and skills to prevent foodborne illness. It is designed for chefs, cooks, managers, and other foodservice personnel who are responsible for the safe preparation and handling of food.

The program consists of an online course, which takes approximately 8-10 hours to complete. The course covers topics such as personal hygiene, cross contamination prevention, time/temperature control, proper cleaning and sanitizing procedures, and more. After completing the online course, students must pass a proctored exam in order to receive their certification.

To get started with the ServSafe Certification Program, students must first register on the American Culinary Federation website. Once registered, they can purchase a study guide or e-book for $99.95 (which includes a voucher for the exam). Once they have purchased the materials they can begin studying for the exam.

Once they have completed their studies they will need to find a proctor in order to take their exam. Proctors can be found through local culinary schools or by searching online for approved proctors in their area. The cost of taking the exam is $45-$55 depending on where it is taken. Upon successful completion of the exam students will receive their ServSafe Certification card within 4-6 weeks of passing the test.

6. National Registry of Food Safety Professionals (NRFSP) Certification

The National Registry of Food Safety Professionals (NRFSP) Certification is a nationally recognized certification that verifies an individual’s knowledge and understanding of food safety principles. This certification is designed to help ensure that food service workers have the necessary skills to prevent foodborne illnesses and maintain safe food handling practices.

It typically takes between 4-6 weeks to complete the NRFSP Certification process, depending on the individual's level of experience. To get certified, individuals must first register for the exam online and pay the required fee. Once registered, individuals can then study for and take the exam at their own pace. The exam consists of multiple choice questions covering topics such as food safety regulations, sanitation practices, and hazard analysis critical control points (HACCP).

The cost of the NRFSP Certification varies depending on the type of certification sought. Generally speaking, it costs around $150 - $200 for a basic certificate or $300 - $400 for an advanced certificate. Additionally, some states may require additional fees or certifications in order to be eligible for certain jobs within the food industry.

Overall, obtaining an NRFSP Certification is a great way to demonstrate your knowledge and commitment to safe food handling practices. It can also open up new job opportunities in the foodservice industry as many employers now require this certification from their employees.

7. SafeStaff® Food Handler Training Program

SafeStaff® Food Handler Training Program is an online training program designed to help food handlers learn the necessary skills and knowledge to safely handle food. It is approved by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and meets the requirements of most state health departments.

The program consists of three parts: a self-paced online course, a test, and a certificate of completion. The online course includes topics such as proper handwashing techniques, food safety principles, temperature control, cross contamination prevention, and more. The test is taken after completing the course and requires a score of 70% or higher to pass. Upon successful completion of both parts, a certificate will be issued which can be used to demonstrate that the individual has successfully completed the SafeStaff® Food Handler Training Program.

The entire program takes approximately two hours to complete and can be done at any time from any location with an internet connection. The cost for the program is $25 per person.

8. Serve It Up Safely!™ Training Program

Serve It Up Safely!™ Training Program is a comprehensive, online food safety education program designed to help food service workers understand the importance of safe food handling practices. The program is offered through the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF) and is approved by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).

The Serve It Up Safely!™ Training Program consists of four courses: Introduction to Food Safety, Personal Hygiene, Cross-Contamination and Allergens, and Time and Temperature Control. Each course takes approximately one hour to complete and includes interactive activities, quizzes, videos and other resources. Upon completion of all four courses, participants will receive a certificate of completion that can be used as proof of training for employers.

The cost of the Serve It Up Safely!™ Training Program is $19.95 per person. Participants can purchase the program online at www.serveitupsafely.org or by calling 1-800-765-2122. Once purchased, participants will have access to all four courses for up to six months or until they have completed all four courses.

Overall, the Serve It Up Safely!™ Training Program provides an easy and affordable way for food service workers to learn about safe food handling practices in order to protect their customers from foodborne illness.

9. Prometric Food Safety Manager Certification

Prometric Food Safety Manager Certification is a certification program offered by the National Restaurant Association. It is designed to ensure that food safety managers have the knowledge and skills necessary to protect customers from foodborne illness. The certification requires successful completion of an approved food safety manager training course and passing a proctored exam.

The training course typically takes 8-10 hours to complete, depending on the provider. It covers topics such as food safety regulations, personal hygiene, cleaning and sanitation, pest control, HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points) principles, and more. After completing the training course, candidates must pass a proctored exam in order to receive their certification.

To get certified as a Prometric Food Safety Manager, you must first find an approved training provider in your area and register for their course. Once you have completed the course and passed the exam, you will receive your certification card from Prometric.

The cost of becoming certified varies depending on the provider; however, most courses cost between $100-$200 USD.

10. International HACCP Alliance (IHA) Certified HACCP Auditor

The International HACCP Alliance (IHA) Certified HACCP Auditor program is a certification program that provides recognition to those who have achieved a high level of expertise in the application of Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) systems. The IHA Certified HACCP Auditor program is designed to ensure that auditors have the necessary knowledge, skills and experience to conduct effective HACCP audits.

It typically takes approximately six months to complete the IHA Certified HACCP Auditor program. The program consists of three components: an online training course, an on-site audit simulation exercise, and a final written exam. The online training course covers topics such as food safety principles, risk assessment, developing critical control points and monitoring procedures, verification activities, record keeping requirements, and corrective actions. The on-site audit simulation exercise requires participants to demonstrate their ability to apply the principles learned in the online training course by conducting an audit of a food manufacturing facility. Finally, participants must pass a written exam in order to become certified as an IHA Certified HACCP Auditor.

The cost of the IHA Certified HACCP Auditor program varies depending on where you take it; however, it typically ranges from $1,500-$2,500 USD for all three components combined.

In order to become an IHA Certified HACCP Auditor you must first meet certain eligibility requirements including having at least two years of food safety experience and having received formal training in the application of HACCP principles. Additionally, applicants must pass both the online training course and on-site audit simulation exercise with a score of 80% or higher before they can take the final written exam. Once all requirements are met and passed successfully applicants will be awarded their certification as an IHA Certified HACCP Auditor.

Do You Really Need a Food Server Certificate?

Whether or not you need a food server certificate depends on the type of work you are doing. In some cases, such as if you are working in a restaurant or other food service establishment, it is required by law to have a food server certificate. It is also important to note that if you plan to serve alcohol in addition to food, many states require a separate certification for this.

In other cases, having a food server certificate may not be required but it can still be beneficial. Having a certification can demonstrate your knowledge of proper hygiene and safety protocols when serving and handling food. It can also show potential employers that you have taken the initiative to learn more about the industry and that you are committed to providing quality service.

Ultimately, whether or not you need a food server certificate will depend on the type of job you are applying for and what is required by law in your area. If it is necessary for the position, make sure to get certified as soon as possible so that you can start work without any delays. If it isn’t required but could benefit your career, consider taking an online course or attending a workshop to help improve your skills and increase your knowledge about the industry.

Related: Food Server Resume Examples

FAQs About Food Server Certifications

1. What is a Food Server Certification?

Answer: A food server certification is a credential that demonstrates a food service worker has the knowledge and skills necessary to safely handle, prepare, and serve food. It is typically awarded after completing a training program or passing an exam.

2. Is Food Server Certification required by law?

Answer: In most states, it is not legally required for food servers to possess a certification; however, many employers may require their servers to have one. It is always best to check with local laws and regulations in your area.

3. How do I get Food Server Certified?

Answer: To become certified, you must complete a training course or pass an exam provided by an accredited organization such as ServSafe or Prometric.

4. How long does my Food Server Certification last?

Answer: Generally, certifications are valid for three years before needing to be renewed or recertified.

5. Are there any online courses available for Food Server Certifications?

Answer: Yes, there are several online courses offered by accredited organizations such as ServSafe and Prometric that can help you obtain your certification quickly and conveniently from the comfort of your own home.